people and places

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Out of all the films ever made, The Wizard of Oz has to be one of the most beloved of all time.

The 1939 film starring the legendary Judy Garland is motion picture history at it's finest. These were the days when most films were still made in black and white. The days when the silver screen still had potential to lift us up and bring us together.

Cinema was an event. Everyone went. Everyone saw practically everything. Films ran for months and months at a time. This was the golden age.

Not to say that everything was all roses and sunshine. The film industry was possibly more seedy and debauched in those days then even now but the quality was simply divine. To put it simply, it had heart. Even now watching films from that era is just a joyous experience.

And one film from that era that more people have seen then any other is The Wizard of Oz. Based on L. Frank Baum's classic children's story, The Wonder Wizard of Oz, the story follows young Dorothy Gale of Kansas as she adventures over the rainbow and into the land of Oz.

There is something so magical, so purely beautiful about this film. Generations have loved it and with good reason. If by some unlucky twist of fate you, dear reader, have not seen this so very worthwhile of films then, honestly, what are you waiting for, get out there! Befriend Dorothy. Laugh at The Cowardly Lion. Pity The Tin Man. Fear The Wicked Witch of the West and fall in love with Scarecrow like countless others before you have done. You will be better for it, this I know.